Radio Free Asia (RFA) is ready to launch a new automated reception report system ! For years DXers have been able to submit reception reports to RFA at:
www.techweb.rfa.org and receive a QSL card in the mail.
In a few days RFA will relaunch the site with system upgrades including:
- an easier-to-navigate interface
- DXer registration
- option to submit anonymous reception reports
Background
The Q-code was developed and instituted in 1912 in order to facilitate communication between maritime radio operators of different nationalities. It is for this reason that the Q-prefix has been excluded from call-signs. Shortwave radio listeners, or DXers, direct their "QSL" request (Can you verify transmission?) to radio stations around the world they happened to have monitored. "D" in DX is for distance and the "X" refers to the unknown. DXers are hobbyists who enjoy DXing or trying to pick up radio stations from a distance.
These reception reports are valuable to radio stations as they assist in evaluating transmission signal strength and quality. Radio stations usually reply by mailing a "QSL Card". The QSL card acknowledges the receipt of the report and confirms the details of the transmission.
To make the best of changing propagation conditions, RFA rotates frequencies during the summer and winter seasons to maintain the best possible coverage. As a shortwave broadcaster, Reception Reports are
important to RFA in helping determine the best frequencies to use in order to reach our target audience.
RFA is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for
accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a 'surrogate' broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at
www.rfa.org/english/about/frequencies.html.
You also have the option of using the Microsoft Tag from your smartphone. The free mobile app for your smartphone is available at
http://gettag.mobi.
Reception reports are also accepted by email at
qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed at:
Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America
(A.J.Janitschek, RFA)
